The Interior Structure of the Sun

1. The Interior Structure of the Sun

2. First hint: solar granulation as evidence of convection

3. The scale of solar granulation

4. Movie of solar granulation

5. Our knowledge of the solar interior

6. Stellar interior slides from textbook (17.1)

7. How can we know the structure of the Sun below the photosphere? Application of the laws of physics (equations of stellar structure), find solution consistent with mass and radius of Sun Measure “eigenmodes” of the Sun (see how fast it jiggles Results for how the sun is put together

8. Physical properties 1: density Units: mass/volume Grams/cc water…1 grams/cc rock… about 3 grams/cc Lead…11.3 grams/cc

9. Physical properties 2: temperature Units: degrees centrigrade Temperature Kelvin: degrees C about absolute zero Temperature of this room: 295K Boiling point of water: 373 K Surface temperature of Sun 5800K

10. Distribution of density inside the Sun

11. Distribution of temperature inside the Sun

12. The interior of the Sun is a region of extreme physical conditions

13. Next topic: what is the luminosity of the Sun telling us? Luminosity = 3.847X1026 Watts What fuel cycle could provide this? What fuel cycle could provide this for the lifetime of the Sun?